Episode 208: Loyalty Programs (What's Brewing?)

This week on Ten Minute Talks, we take a look at a coffee from my place of employment! If you love an adventurous yet familiar single origin coffee, then Barista Parlor’s Pedregal from Colombia is just for you. You can find it on their website at http://www.baristaparlor.com!

As we're in a weird season in the world where shops are closed temporarily or offering augmented service, we want to provide you with resources so you can brew your own coffee at home and have the same in-shop experience like normal, all in ten minutes or less. Today, we're reviewing Onyx Coffee Lab's "Geometry" blend. Check it out at https://onyxcoffeelab.com/collections/coffee/products/geometry-blend and get a bag yourself!

We are in uncharted waters. COVID-19 is something we've never seen before in the café/hospitality world. If you love the local businesses you go to for food, beverage, or other goods, now is the time to step up and support them. This episode is full of some practical tips for how to support them!

Maintaining proper hygiene practices and upholding sanitary standards help keep surfaces clean, people safe, and doors open. But, in the midst of a global health crisis, how should we handle ourselves within the café as a result? We chat a little about that in this week's episode.

Within the café, there exists a certain set of rules and policies that govern how we interact and operate within the space. At some points, these rules can get confusing and almost exclusive, but they're there to set boundaries and standards that protect both the barista and the guest. We tackle these policies in this episode!

Most shops have some way of rewarding regular and repeat customers: stars, points, punches, etc. But what goes into the programs? How can they help, or hurt, everyone involved? We cover that in this episode!

As coffee and service industry professionals, we have a responsibility to provide anyone who walks into the café, whether a guest or a co-worker, with the utmost respect and kindness, no matter what's going on in our lives. As US Coffee Champs season comes to a close, the main concept in the midst of all the routines has been a focus on hospitality and kindness, so using that prompt, we chat a little more on how that and investment in our fellow professionals can be game-changers!

When you're ordering lattes, cappuccinos, or anything else under the "Espresso" portion of most menus, there are quite a few ways you can complete your order. You can add more espresso, flavors, extra flavors, more milk, etc. This section of the café is most likely the most customizable avenue that exists. Hear what we have to say about altered espresso options on this episode!

As the base of most options ordered in the coffee shop, espresso wears many hats. There are so many theories around it, but today we talk about the bare-bones basics of it.

Drip coffee, cold brew, bottled drinks, and pastries sometimes drive the revenue for shops. They're easily accessible but quite frankly underserved and underappreciated.  Today, we discuss these options and how to better order them!